Info Favorites Register Log in
myArmoury.com Discussion Forums

Forum index Memberlist Usergroups Spotlight Topics Search
Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > Spear head /finial Reply to topic
This is a standard topic  
Author Message
Paul Hafield




Location: Grimsby,UK
Joined: 03 Dec 2016

Posts: 2

PostPosted: Sat 03 Dec, 2016 10:47 am    Post subject: Spear head /finial         Reply with quote

Hello Guys .I have a what mabe a ceremonial spear head or a pole finial which I acquired from France and basicely know nothing about any info would be welcome ie what is it ,is it authentic and what the letters on the brass discs represent ,Regards Paul.


 Attachment: 34.19 KB
il_570xN_1027739240_gj6w.jpg


 Attachment: 83.44 KB
il_570xN_1074272673_lmp5.jpg

View user's profile Send private message
Sean Flynt




Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Joined: 21 Aug 2003
Likes: 10 pages
Reading list: 13 books

Spotlight topics: 7
Posts: 5,981

PostPosted: Tue 06 Dec, 2016 7:52 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Welcome! You have some variety of military spontoon (French: esponton). We have a related thread that will give you a good idea of the basics: http://myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p=316494#316494

Yours is special because it has the fancy brass plaques. These are often 18th c., but something about yours suggests the Napoleonic era to me, and I wonder if maybe it's some kind of guard's spontoon or leading staff of the late 18th or early 19th c.

You can see plain spontoons (no cross bar or barbs) in French illustrations of ca. 1740.

Here's an example at auction that appears to be in the same family as yours: http://www.cornettedesaintcyr.fr/html/fiche.j...f=1&r=

That one might even have some brass on it, but it's hard to tell.

In any case, all the spontoon information in the other thread should apply, with the additional mystery of those brass discs.



 Attachment: 85.96 KB
18900-GazettedesArmes-204-Page-044.jpg


 Attachment: 92.3 KB
[ Download ]

-Sean

Author of the Little Hammer novel

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Hammer-Sean-Flynt/dp/B08XN7HZ82/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=little+hammer+book&qid=1627482034&sr=8-1
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
David Lewis Smith




Location: NC
Joined: 26 Aug 2003
Likes: 4 pages

Posts: 506

PostPosted: Tue 06 Dec, 2016 12:14 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Just a guess but I think this was probably used on a guidon
David L Smith
MSG (RET)
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Sean Flynt




Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Joined: 21 Aug 2003
Likes: 10 pages
Reading list: 13 books

Spotlight topics: 7
Posts: 5,981

PostPosted: Wed 07 Dec, 2016 7:29 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I think that's a very convincing hypothesis. The slot could accept a stiffening bar for the top of the guidon, held in place by pins through those holes. That would also help attach battle honors.


 Attachment: 13.77 KB
9ec6dddf4d0db205f90d0ea9fb130ab1.jpg


 Attachment: 95.88 KB
800px-Drapeau_du_22e_RIMa.jpg


 Attachment: 13.3 KB
d842d237330d8d20f5e83df50c2a198d.jpg


-Sean

Author of the Little Hammer novel

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Hammer-Sean-Flynt/dp/B08XN7HZ82/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=little+hammer+book&qid=1627482034&sr=8-1
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Glen A Cleeton




Location: Nipmuc USA
Joined: 21 Aug 2003

Posts: 1,973

PostPosted: Wed 07 Dec, 2016 3:49 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

The socket diameter is quite large to have been a guidon pole topper, or even a military spontoon. Add that the socket appear to be made of steel sheet. I wouldn't rule out a processional flag topper but it is hardly military and certainly not that old.
View user's profile Send private message
Paul Hafield




Location: Grimsby,UK
Joined: 03 Dec 2016

Posts: 2

PostPosted: Thu 08 Dec, 2016 9:42 am    Post subject: Finial         Reply with quote

Hello guys ,Thank you for taking the time to have a look at this ,the person I got it off was unsure to what it was he mentioned that the ND could have something to do with Notre Dame due to it coming from France and ma be have a religious connection just a theory .Possibly off a staff of some sort , with the brass discs it could be a ceremonial piece , it is quite hefty weighing 1207g.Thanks again Paul.
View user's profile Send private message
Anthony Hart




Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: 22 Feb 2016

Posts: 3

PostPosted: Sun 11 Dec, 2016 1:17 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Maybe designed to be mounted on a pole from a building or fence post? The lettering having some connection with the owners or use?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail


Display posts from previous:   
Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > Spear head /finial
Page 1 of 1 Reply to topic
All times are GMT - 8 Hours

View previous topic :: View next topic
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum






All contents © Copyright 2003-2024 myArmoury.com — All rights reserved
Discussion forums powered by phpBB © The phpBB Group
Switch to the Basic Low-bandwidth Version of the forum